Louis Romanet, the Papot family and Jean-Claude Rouget inducted into the French Racing Hall of Fame
Following its meeting on Wednesday 21 May 2026, the Nomination Committee of the French Racing Hall of Fame selected the following three inductees for 2026:
• Louis Romanet
A leading figure in French and international racing administration. Director General of France Galop from 1998 to 2007, he served as Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) for twenty-seven years, from its foundation in 1994 until 2021. A member of a family whose service to French racing spans more than a century, Louis Romanet played a decisive role in the globalisation of the sport and in the creation of the international racehorse rankings. He passed away on 4 March 2026 at the age of 78. His induction this year carries particular significance.
• The Papot family
Leading owners and breeders in French jump racing for several decades. Multiple-time champion owners over jumps, they have dominated the discipline consistently since 2009, winning fifteen Chevaux d’Or (leading owner) titles. Their green-and-blue diamond silks are among the most recognisable in French racing. The Papot family embodies the excellence of the committed owner-breeder model, with a long-term dedication to the French racing and breeding industry.
• Jean-Claude Rouget
A Flat trainer based in Pau since 1978, Jean-Claude Rouget ranks among the most successful figures in the history of French racing, with nearly 7,500 winners and 46 Group 1 victories. His outstanding record includes two Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victories, with Sottsass in 2020 and Ace Impact in 2023, six Prix du Jockey Club, four Prix de Diane and numerous major international successes. His career embodies consistency and excellence over more than forty years at the highest level.
This year’s official induction ceremony will take place at ParisLongchamp on Sunday 4 October 2026 at 11.30am, just a few hours before the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in the presence of representatives from the 60 member countries of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
The French Racing Hall of Fame was created in 2024 by Jour de Galop, with the help of France Galop. In 2025, the Hall of Fame inducted His Highness the Aga Khan, Christiane Head, Olivier Peslier and Docteur de Ballon, who joined the Hall of Fame’s inaugural members. The full list of inductees and their biographies can be found at www.hof1651.fr.
The Nomination Committee comprises leading figures from the French racing industry: Bertrand Bélinguier (Chairman), Aliette Forien, Édouard de Rothschild, Charles-Henri de Moussac, Guy Henrot, Gilles Delloye, Pierre-Yves Lefèvre, Mayeul Caire (Jour de Galop), Sébastien Darras (Secretary General) and Guillaume de Saint-Seine (Honorary Chairman, ex officio).